RecruitingACTRN12623001284651

Ultrasound measurement of unstable shoulders before and after taping and rehabilitation treatment

Effect of taping and rehabilitation on humeral head position and translation in unstable shoulders: an ultrasound study

Sponsor

La Trobe University

Enrollment

15 participants

Start Date

Dec 19, 2022

Study Type

Interventional

Conditions

Shoulder instability

Summary

This is the second component of a masters project that is investigating humeral head position and translation in unstable shoulders. In this pre- and post-intervention study, we aim to investigate the effect of taping and rehabilitation on humeral head position and/or translation in unstable shoulders. We hypothesise that humeral head inferior position/translation will reduce and that these findings will correlate with other measured improvements of shoulder position, strength, pain, and function.

Eligibility

Sex: Both males and femalesMin Age: 18 YearssMax Age: 35 Yearss

Plain Language Summary

Simplified for easier understanding

Shoulder instability — where the top of the arm bone slips or dislocates from the shoulder socket — can be a painful and disabling condition, particularly when it occurs downward (inferiorly). This study is investigating whether shoulder taping and a specific rehabilitation exercise program can improve shoulder stability in people with this type of instability, and whether these effects can be measured with ultrasound. This is a pre- and post-intervention study, meaning researchers measure participants before and after the treatment to see what changes. They will use ultrasound imaging to track the position and movement of the humeral head (the ball of the shoulder joint) and look for improvements following taping and rehabilitation with the Watson Instability Program. To be eligible, you must have symptomatic shoulder instability in the downward direction (confirmed by a positive sulcus test — a clinical examination finding) and show some improvement in shoulder range of motion, pain, or strength when tested. You must be aged 18–35, have no history of significant shoulder trauma or surgery on the affected side, and have no neurological conditions or connective tissue disorders like Ehlers-Danlos syndrome.

This summary was AI-generated to explain the trial in plain language. It is not medical advice. Always discuss eligibility with your doctor before enrolling in a clinical trial.

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Interventions

This study involves 2 interventions (taping and rehabilitation. All participants will be offered to be part of the taping group and the rehabilitation group. They can decide whether to be part of one, the other, or both. This design may be classified as a before-and-after study involving two interventions. Intervention 1 - Taping Fixomul hypoallergenic tape and rigid sports tape. Scapular taping into upward rotation. Experienced physiotherapist with over 10 years of experience. Individual face-to-face treatment. One treatment session - the tape application takes less than 5 minutes. Administered at a private physiotherapy clinic in Melbourne, Australia. Adherence will not be monitored as follow-up data is taken immediately after the tape application. Intervention 2 - Rehabilitation Rehabilitation will be overseen by the participants' treating physiotherapist who has been trained in the Watson Instability Program (Watson, et al., 2016, 2017). Progression through the program is determined by the treating physiotherpist and typically occurs in the treatment sessions. Exercises are typically of low-moderate intensity and focus on low-load, high repitition dosages. E.g. shoulder shrug against red theraband 1-3 sets, 20 reps, 5 secs, 1-3 x daily. Other exercises may include, but may not be limited to: - row (low/high) - external rotation (low/high) - internal rotation (low/high) - pushing (low/high) - lateral raise (low/high) Treatment may be individualised/tailored as determined by the treating physiotherapist. Treatments may include, but are not limited to: Exercise prescription/progression, massage, stretching, joint mobilisation, and taping. Equipment may include therabands, handweights, and gym equipment as deemed necessary by the treating physiotherapist. Treatment may be delivered face-to-face, or via telehealth, or via a mixture as determined by the treating physiotherapist The number/frequency of sessions over a twelve week period will be determined by the treating physiotherapist but typically last 20-30 minutes, once per week (13 sessions). Treatments will be administed through a private physiotherapy clinic in Melbourne, Australia. Adherence will be overseen by the treating physiotherapist and may include strategies such as patient education, booking appointments ahead of time, and follow-up contact where appropriate. Attendence will be recorded by the treating physiotherpist in the clinic's practice management software. REFERENCES: Watson, L., Warby, S., Balster, S., Lenssen, R., & Pizzari, T. (2016). The treatment of multidirectional instability of the shoulder with a rehabilitation program: Part 1. Shoulder & elbow, 8(4), 271-278. doi:10.1177/1758573216652086 Watson, L., Warby, S., Balster, S., Lenssen, R., & Pizzari, T. (2017). The treatment of multidirectional instability of the shoulder with a rehabilitation programme: Part 2. Shoulder & elbow, 9(1), 46-53. doi:10.1177/1758573216652087